Metallurgical furnace.



PATBNTBD MAR. 1, 1904. P. KEPP.

MBTALLURGICAL PURNAGE.

.APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 18, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

IIIWN 4zen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Metallurgical Furnace, of which thefollowing is aspecica- UNITED STATES yPatented Marh 1, 1904.

FERDINAND KEPR, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

. METALLURGIAL FURNACE.

, SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters 'PatentNab7753,1712, dated'March 1, 1904.

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To all whom it may coil/ceri@ i* l A. 4

Be it known that I, FERpINANDKP1 ,a citition.

My present invention relates to a novelmetallurgical furnace designed with special reference to the manufacture of brass, but capable of other metallurgical uses.

It is well understood by those Skilled in the art thatthe manufactureof brass,whi`ch` is an alloy of copper and Zinc, is attended byobjectionable oxidation of the metal and sometimes by actual vaporization of the zinc, the:

melting-point of which is many degrees below that of copper.

The primary object ofthis invention therefore is to produce a furnace by the use of which an alloy of high grade may be manufactured without material oxidation and without material loss by vaporization of its lessrefractory component metal or metals. This object is attained by makingV provision for the separate initial heating of the several component metals to melt the base metal and tobring the other metals nearly to their melting-points by thereafter effecting the separate introduction of the initially-heated metals last named into the path of the-'molten basic metal, and

by the provision of means for regulating the introduction of air to the furnace to Vproperly control the combustion and to prevent the oxidation of the alloy during its manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to secure a maximum output by providing for the concentration of the heat 'at the most'effective points. This object is attained by so constructing the top wall of the melting-chamber thatA the flame from the furnace will be rst'projected against the body of molten metal and will be subsequently directed against the metal supported by the hearth-table at a point between the crucible and the stack.

A further object of the invention is to so arrange the initial heating-chambers with reference to the melting-chamber that certain of the metals after having been heated' almost to the melting-point Will be discharged into the against which Vthe flame impinges in order metal-bath directly atthat point of its surface that the precipitatedmetals will be instantly melted.`

Other objects subordinate to those enumerated will appear during the succeeding description ofthe illustrated embodiment of the invention.V l l In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the furnace complete. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. `.1,.and Fig. 3 is a similar view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

I Like numerals ofreferencedesignate corre-, 4

sponding parts throughout the several gures of the drawings.

The primary features furnace are a melting-Chamberland a plurality of initialheating-chambers 2 and 3, located above the melting-chamber to facilitate the separate heating of different metals-as, for instance, zinc and brass scrap: y Each of these chambers is in direct communication through constricted throats 4, 5, and 6 with the chimney or discharge ue 7 above which extends a suitable stack 8, designedlto insure the neccharacteristic ofthe Ass4 essary draft. VvEach of the three chambers is providedat its front end with separate heating means, including fireboxes 9, 10, and 11,

'equipped for the use of various kinds of fuelfor instance, wood. coal, or oil.

Below themelting-chamber 1 is a pit constituting an air-chamber or divingflue 12, communicating at its rear end with the fireboX 9 of the melting-chamber 1 and having an opening at its rear end controlled by swinging doors or valves 13 and'llf, the latter constituting also a trap controlling the entrance to the pit. rlhe air-chamber 12 is designed to contain sufficient air for the maintenance of combustion in the re-boX 9 of themelting-chamber, the air-supply being capable of regulation by means ofthe doors or valves 13 and 14. For a similar' purpose vertical airflues 15 and` 16,(see Fig. 3) are located below the {ire-boxes 10 and 11 ofthe initial heating- Achambers 2 and3, each flue being equipped below its fire-box with a valve or damper 17 as shown in Fig. 1. The flues 15 and 16 are of identical construction and each is in comfoo munication with the outer air through a passage 18, controlled bya valve or door 19, and with the chamber or flue 12 through a passage 20, controlled by a valve or door 21. Ordinarily the maximum ingress of air to the flues 15 and 16 is determined by the adjustment of the valves 19, and the passage of the air to the fire-boxes 10 and 11 is regulated by the dampers 17. If, however, an extraordinary circulation of air is desired, the airchamber 12 may be placed in communication with the liues 15 and 16 by opening the valves 21, or either of them, as the occasion may demand. l

The hearth 22, preferably constructed of silica brick and comprising the crucible 23 and the inclined table 24, extends from the bridge-wall 25 to the rear wall of the discharge iue or chimney. The hearth 22 has aA suitable brick foundation 26, resting upon supporting-arches 27 and 28, carried by transverse I-beams 29 and 30, the arches 28 being disposed in a somewhat higher plane than the arches 27 and located under the table 2,4 and the rear wall of the chimney.

The Itop wall or roof of the melting-chamber 1 is dened by apair of intersecting arches 31 32, which extend conjointly from the front of the fire-box 9 to the ue 7 The groin 33 or point of intersection of said arches is substantially centered over the crucible 23, but slightly nearer the front end thereof. The bridge-wall 25 is extended above the crucible and is located substantially under the crown of the arch 31, but slightly nearer the rear end of said arch, it being observed that the top of the bridge-wall almost reaches the horizontal plane of the groin 33. The rear extremity of the arch 32 is disposed above the table 24 of the hearth, the juncture of the crucible 23 and the table 24 being located substantially under the crown on said arch. It will be noted that the described relation of the top and bottom walls of the melting-chamber 1 `imparts to said chamber a circuitous form, which form has been especially devised for the attainment of certain of the recited objects of the invention. The ames generated in the fire-box 9 are compelled to rise to a plane considerably above the crucible in order to pass over the bridge-wall 25 and are then deiected downwardly by the rear portion of the arch 31 in order to cause said ame to impinge upon the surface of the molten metal in the crucible 23 at a point directly below the groin 33 of the roof. After contacting directly with the molten metal in the crucible the fiames rise in the arch 33 and in seeking an escape through the constricted throat 4 are projected directly against the solid metal placed on the table 24 of the hearth. It will be observed that by this peculiar arrangement the heat is concentrated at the most effective points-to wit. at the surface of the metal in the crucible 23 and at that point of the table 24 upon which the solid metal is placed for melting. As the metal melts it runs down the inclined table to the crucible 23, where it is still subjected to the direct action of the iames.

One side wall of the chamber 1 is provided 'with a fuel-opening 34, located above the firebox, a pole-opening 35, and a charge-opening 36. The opening 34 permits the introduction of wood or coal into the iire-box. The opening 35 is designed to permit the observation of the bath and the necessary poling ofl the metal, and the opening 36 is utilized for the charging of the furnace, its location being such as to permit the placing of a suitable quantity of metal upon the table 240i' the hearth.

The chambers 2 and 3 are of identical construction, each being provided with a `silicabrick hearth 37, extending from the bridgewall 38 to the iiue7 and downwardly inclined from its opposite ends to a point directly over the groin 33 of the melting-chamber roof. These hearths 37 are supported upon suitable foundations, including arches 39 and I-beams 40, supported above the arched roof of the chamber 1. The roof of each of the initial heating-chambers, like the roof of the melting-chamber, is formed with a pair of inter-V secting arches 41 and 42; but instead of being arranged like the arches of the melting-chamber these arches 41 and 42 are of widely-dit'- ferent radius, the arch 42 being comparatively long and having its crown disposed directly over the lowest point of the hearth 37 and the groin 33 of the melting-chamber roof. This arrangement is adopted because there is no necessity for securing that intense concentration of heat in-the initial heating-chambers which is essential to the melting-chamber, since the metal in the chambers 2 and 3 is only intended to be heated until near the melting' point and not actually melted. In the side walls of the last-named chambers are formed fuel-openings 43 and charge-openings 44.

In the manufacture of brass copper is first placedon the table 24 of the hearth 22 and is melted to form acopper-bath in the crucible 23. Into this bath the other metals-as, for instance, zinc and brass, raised approximately to their respective melting-points-are designed to be precipitated from the initial heating-chambers. Provision must therefore be made for establishing communication between these chambers and the melting-chamber at the proper time. Such provision consists in downwardly-tapered shafts 45 and 46, extending from the lowest points of the hearths 37 of the chambers 2 and 3 and piercing the roof of the melting-chamber at the groin 33. The tapered form of these shafts prevents the too violent precipitation of the metal into the copper-bath, and it will be ohserved that as these shafts open into thomelting-chamber at the groin of its roof the metal IOO will be dropped into the bath at the 'point yintroducing the previously-heated metal in the bath directly at that point where the heat is concentered by reason of the peculiar arrangement of the melting-chamber, and as the intense heat will instantly melt the metal and incorporate it in the bath oxidation and vap- Aorization will be reduced to a minimum.

The upper ends of the shafts 45 and, 46 are closed by caps or doors 47, which are removed at the proper time to permit the initiallyheated metals to be dropped into the. bath. The top of the chimney is protected by a capplate 48, bolted or otherwise secured in place and retaining the stack 8, which may be lined vvith fire-brick, as shown.

Vand the several fire-boxes is not material; but I- The arrangement of the heating apparatus prefer to employ grates 49, resting on I-beams 50 to facilitate the use of either wood or coal as a fuel, and these grates are preferably aug- `when the burners 5l are in use. course be understood that the various fuel mented by oil-burners 51 of any approved construction to facilitate the use of liquid fuel. The grates 49 may, if desired, be removed It will of charging and poling-openings will be provided with suitable closures.

Briey, the operation of the furnace in the manufacture of brass is as follows: The various Valves controlling the circulation of air having been adjusted the res are started, the initial heating-chambers are charged with zinc Yand brass scraps, and the melting-chamber 1 is charged with copper. A free circulation of Yair through vthe diving-flue l2 will promote sufficient combustion to quickly melt the copper and cause it to run down into the crucible 23 to form a bath. The temperature of the zinc and brass having been raised approximately to the melting-points of these metals by different degrees of heat in the chambers 2 and 3, the cap 47 in the chamber 3 Willrst be removed and the brass dropped through the shaft 46 and into the copper-bath. After the lapse of a brief interval to permit the complete melting of the brass and its union with the copper the cap 47 in the chamber 2 will be removed and the Zinc will be precipitated into the bath. Both caps 47 will then be replaced, the various valves Will be closed to exclude air, except such as is contained in the chamber l2, and the combustion in the fire-box 9 will be increased as much as possible, in order to secure an intense heat in the melting-chamber. The molten metal is finally poled and skimmed, and the metal is tapped out of the crucible in the usual manner. y It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and operation of my novel metallurgical furnace will be clearly comprehended; but while the present embodiment of the invention is thought at this tim'e to be preferable I do not wish to be understood as limiting my- .having independent communication with the discharge-Hue at their rear ends, separate heating means arranged to direct products of 4combustion through the chambers to the Hue,

and means for establishing communication between said chambers at points intermediate of their ends.

2. Ametallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a plurality of initial heatingchambers, separate heaters arranged to direct products of combustion through the melting and initial heating chambers respectively, and independent means for establishing communication between each heating-chamber and the melting-chamber. v

3. A metallurgical furnace including a vertical discharge-iiue, a melting-chamber communicating at its rear end therewith, anV initial heating-chamber located above the melting-chamber and having independent communication at its rear end with the iiue, a vertical shaft through which metal may be passed to the melting-chamber from the heatingchamber, and separate heating means foreach chamber.

4. A metallurgical furnace including superposed chambers, a fire-box located at the front end of each chamber, a discharge-flue communicating with the rear ends of both chambers, and a vertical shaft establishing communication between the chambers intermediate of the ends thereof.

5. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a plurality of superposed initial heating-chambers, separate heaters for the,

meltingand heating chambers arranged to r pass the products of combustion therethrough,

and independent means controlling the communication between each heating-chamber and the melting-chamber.

6. A metallurgical furnace includingamelting-chamber, a plurality of superposed initial heating-chambers, separate heaters forv the `melting and heating chambers and arranged todirect the products of combustion therethrough, and `a Vertical shaft extending from each heating-chamber to the melting-ch amber.

7. Ametallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a plurality of superposed initial heating-chambers, a discharge-flue having independent communication with each of the several chambers, independent. heating means for each chamber, and means for establishing communication between each heating-chamvself to the structural 'details deiined as, on lthe contrary, I reserve the right to veffect such IOO IIO

ber and the melting-chamber to permit the disinitial heating-chamber tothe melting-chamber, and independent means for closing each of said shafts.

9. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, an initial heating-chamber, separate heating means for said chambers, a diving ue for supplying air to the melting-chamber, and a controlling-valve for said ue.

10. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a superposed initial heatingchamber, separate air-lines for supplying air to said chambers, means for establishing communication between the flues, and separate means controlling the passage of air to each liue.

11. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, asuperposed heating-chamber, a separate re-box for each chamber arranged to direct the products of combustion through the same, separate air-lines leading to the fire-boxes, and valves i controlling the passage of air through said flues.

12. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber having a fire-box at one end thereof, a large air-space located below the melting-chamber and communicating with the fire-box, a valve controlling the passage of air to the air-space, an initial heating-chamber, a shaft leading from said chamber to the melting-chamber, and means for closing said shaft.

13. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a plurality of superposed initial heating-chambers, a discharge-liuc having communication with the rear end of each chamber, a separate fire-box located at the front end of each chamber, a large air-space located under the melting-chamber and com- Vmunicating with the hre-box thereof, avalve controlling the ingress of air to the air-space, an individual air-Hue communicating wlth the {ire-box of each initial heat1ngchamber,valves controlling the passage of air'through said flues, and valves controlling the communication between each of said air-flues and the large air-space.

14E. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a 'nre-box located at one end of the chamber and a discharge-flue at the opposite end thereof, a hearth constituting the bottom of the chamber and including an inclined table and a crucible, a pair of intersecting arches extending conjointly from the front of the fire-box to the front of the discharge-liuc, said arches constituting the top wall of the melting-chamber and having their point of intersection or groin located above the crucible to deflect the ames downwardly against the molten metal therein and an inii wall at the rear side of the {ire-box, a hearth extending from the bridge-wall and including an inclined charge-table and a crucible extending from the charge-table to the bridgewall, and a pair of intersecting arches extending conjointly from the front of the fire-box to the front Yof the discharge-hue, the groin or point of intersection of said arches being located above the crucible and the rear arch terminating at a point above the charge-table whereby the iiames issuing from the fire-box and passing over the bridge-wall are deflected downwardly against the molten metal in the crucible and are subsequently directed against the charge of metal supported by the chargetable.

16. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber a superposed initial heatingchamber, a hearth constituting the bottom of the melting-chamber and having a dished portion or crucible, a pair of intersecting arches constituting the top wall of the melting-chamber and having their groin or point of intersection located above the crucible, and a shaft establishing communication between the chambers said shaft opening through the top wall of the meltingchamber at the groin thereof.

17. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a superposed initial heating-chamber, a hearth constituting the bottom of the melting-chamber and having a dished portion or vcrucible, apair of intersecting arches constituting the top wall of the melting-chamber and having their groin or point of intersection located above the crucible, and a shaft establishing communication between the chambers, said shaft opening through the top wall of the melting-chamber through the groin thereof, the top Wall of the initial heating chamber being formed by frontand rear arches, the crown of the rear arch being located directly above the shaft.

18. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a hearth constituting the bottom wall of the meltingvchamber and formed with a dished portion or crucible, a pair of intersecting arches constituting the top wall of the melting-chamber and having their groin or point of intersection located above the crucible, a plurality of initial heating-chambers located above the melting-chamber, and separate shafts establishing communication between the melting-chamber and each initial heating-chamber, said shafts opening through the top wall ofthe melting-chamber at the groin thereof.

19. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, a superposed initial heating- IOC chamber, separate heaters for directing products of combustion through the chambers, and a vertical downwardly-tapered shaft establishing communication between said chambers and a removable closure at the upper end of said shaft.

20. A metallurgical furnace including a discharge-flue, a melting-chamber, a superposed initial heating-chamber, said chambers having independent communication at their rear ends with the discharge flue, separate heating means for said chambers arranged to direct the products of combustion through the same to the flue, and 'means for establishing communication between the chambers to permit the passage of the metal from the heatingchamber to the melting-chamber.

2l. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber, and an initial heatingchamber, a separate heater for each chamber` arranged to direct the products of combustion through the same, and means for opening communication between the chambers to permit the transfer of the metal from the initial heating-chamber to the melting-chamber.

22. A metallurgical furnace including a melting-chamber and a superposed initial ranged to direct the products of combustionV through the same, and a vertical shaft connecting the chambers intermediate of the ends thereof and serving as a conduit for the metal during its transference from one chamber to the other.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afHXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FERDINAND KEPP.

Witnesses:

WILERED A. DE WHITRIDGE, CLARENCE W. DEXTER. 

